Latest news with #InternationalWomensDay
Zawya
15-07-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Marking International Women's Day 2025: Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej & First Ladies of Africa Empower and Uplift Women & Girls Through Education & Healthcare
Merck Foundation ( the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany together with First Ladies of Africa who are also their Ambassadors, Ministries of Health, Education, Communication&Gender, mark 'International Women's Day 2025', through their impactful development programs, continuing their 13-year legacy of empowering women and girls. Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and One of the Most Influential African Women for Six Consecutive Years (2019 - 2024) expressed, 'Happy International Women's Day to all the remarkable women and girls around the world! Empowering girls and women is at the core of all our initiatives and programs at Merck Foundation. I recognize the immense potential of women to thrive, succeed and excel in any domain they choose, yet they often lack the conducive environment to fully realize their capabilities, especially in underserved communities. Therefore, together with our Ambassadors, The First Ladies of Africa, we mark International Women's Day every day since the last 13 years through our development programs and initiatives such as ' More Than a Mother', 'Merck Foundation Capacity Advancement', 'Educating Linda', and 'STEM Program'." "Merck Foundation More Than a Mother" is a strong movement that aims to empower infertile and childless women through access to information, education and change of mindset. 'I am thrilled to share that out of the 2,282 scholarships awarded across 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved specialties, 1046 scholarships, that is nearly 50% have been granted to female medical graduates, empowering them to become future healthcare experts and leaders. I am especially proud that we have awarded over 680 scholarships to young doctors, dedicated to advancing women's health by strengthening reproductive, sexual health, and fertility care capacity.' Merck Foundation CEO strongly believes that Education is one of the most critical areas of women empowerment. 'I am happy to share that through our 'Educating Linda' Program, together with my dear sisters, our Ambassadors, we are contributing to the future of over 700 girls by providing scholarships to continue their education and also providing essential school items for thousands of schoolgirls in many African countries such as Botswana, Burundi, Malawi, The Gambia, Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Namibia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cabo Verde and more. Moreover, we have benefitted thousands of girls through our awareness campaign through many initiates like the release of inspiring songs, children's storybooks, animation films, TV Program and awards for best media, song, film&fashion designs, all aimed at promoting girl education today for women's empowerment tomorrow', emphasized Senator Rasha Kelej. Merck Foundation also actively empowers women in Science and Technology through its STEM Program and the annual Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit (MARS) Awards that recognize and celebrate the Best African Women Researchers and Best Young African Researchers, fostering research excellence. 'Our goal is to empower women and young African researchers, enhance their research capacity, and promote their contributions to STEM,' emphasized Dr. Kelej. Watch the Episodes of 'Our Africa by Merck Foundation' TV program on Supporting Girl Education: Episode 2: Episode 11: Episode 14: Listen to Merck Foundation song about Supporting Girl Education here: Watch, share&subscribe to the 'Girl Can' song here, sung by two famous singers, Irene and Cwezi from Liberia and Ghana respectively: Watch, share&subscribe the ' Like Them ' song here, sung by Kenneth, a famous singer from Uganda: Watch, share&subscribe ' Take me to School ' song here, sung by Wezi, Afro-soul singer from Zambia, to support girls' education: Watch share&subscribe ' Tu Podes Sim ' Portuguese song, which means ' Yes, You Can ' in English by Blaze and Tamyris Moiane, singers from Mozambique in English here: Watch, share&subscribe ' Brighter day' song by Sean K and Cwesi Oteng from Namibia and Ghana respectively: Watch the Merck Foundation Animation Films to Support Girl Education : Ride into to Future: Jackeline's Rescue: Read the Merck Foundation storybook addressing the importance of Girl Education: To read Educating Linda Storybook, pls visit: To read Jackline's Rescue Storybook, pls visit: To read Ride into the Future Storybook, pls visit: To read Not Who You Are Storybook, pls visit: Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Merck Foundation. Contact: Mehak Handa Community Awareness Program Manager Phone: +91 9310087613/ +91 9319606669 Email: Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard: Facebook: X: YouTube: Instagram: Threads: Flickr: Website: Download Merck Foundation App: About Merck Foundation: The Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to quality&equitable healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare&scientific research capacity, empowering girls in education and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth. All Merck Foundation press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Foundation Website. Please visit to read more. Follow the social media of Merck Foundation: Facebook ( X ( Instagram ( YouTube ( Threads ( and Flickr ( The Merck Foundation is dedicated to improving social and health outcomes for communities in need. While it collaborates with various partners, including governments to achieve its humanitarian goals, the foundation remains strictly neutral in political matters. It does not engage in or support any political activities, elections, or regimes, focusing solely on its mission to elevate humanity and enhance well-being while maintaining a strict non-political stance in all of its endeavors.
Al Bawaba
25-06-2025
- Health
- Al Bawaba
'Girl Education Today for Women Empowerment Tomorrow': Emphasizes Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej on International Women's Day 2025
Merck Foundation ( the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany together with First Ladies of Africa who are also their Ambassadors, Ministries of Health, Education, Communication & Gender, mark 'International Women's Day 2025', through their impactful development programs, continuing their 13-year legacy of empowering women and girls. Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and One of the Most Influential African Women for Six Consecutive Years (2019 - 2024) expressed, 'Happy International Women's Day to all the remarkable women and girls around the world! Empowering girls and women is at the core of all our initiatives and programs at Merck Foundation. I recognize the immense potential of women to thrive, succeed and excel in any domain they choose, yet they often lack the conducive environment to fully realize their capabilities, especially in underserved communities. Therefore, together with our Ambassadors, The First Ladies of Africa, we mark International Women's Day every day since the last 13 years through our development programs and initiatives such as 'More Than a Mother', 'Merck Foundation Capacity Advancement', 'Educating Linda', and 'STEM Program'." "Merck Foundation More Than a Mother" is a strong movement that aims to empower infertile and childless women through access to information, education and change of mindset. 'I am thrilled to share that out of the 2,282 scholarships awarded across 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved specialties, 1063 scholarships, that is nearly 50% have been granted to female medical graduates, empowering them to become future healthcare experts and leaders. I am especially proud that we have awarded over 716 scholarships to young doctors, dedicated to advancing women's health by strengthening reproductive, sexual health, and fertility care capacity.' Merck Foundation CEO strongly believes that Education is one of the most critical areas of women empowerment. 'I am happy to share that through our 'Educating Linda' Program, together with my dear sisters, our Ambassadors, we are supporting the education by providing over 950 scholarships for high performance and underprivileged African schoolgirls, empowering them to complete their studies and reach their full potential and also providing essential school items for thousands of schoolgirls in many African countries such as Botswana, Burundi, Malawi, The Gambia, Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Namibia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cabo Verde and more. Moreover, we have benefitted thousands of girls through our awareness campaign through many initiates like the release of inspiring songs, children's storybooks, animation films, TV Program and awards for best media, song, film & fashion designs, all aimed at promoting girl education today for women's empowerment tomorrow', emphasized Senator Rasha Kelej. Merck Foundation also actively empowers women in Science and Technology through its STEM Program and the annual Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit (MARS) Awards that recognize and celebrate the Best African Women Researchers and Best Young African Researchers, fostering research excellence. 'Our goal is to empower women and young African researchers, enhance their research capacity, and promote their contributions to STEM,' emphasized Dr. Kelej.
Zawya
24-06-2025
- Health
- Zawya
'Girl Education Today for Women Empowerment Tomorrow': Emphasizes Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej on International Women's Day 2025
Merck Foundation ( the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany together with First Ladies of Africa who are also their Ambassadors, Ministries of Health, Education, Communication&Gender, mark ' International Women's Day 2025', through their impactful development programs, continuing their 13-year legacy of empowering women and girls. Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and One of the Most Influential African Women for Six Consecutive Years (2019 - 2024) expressed, 'Happy International Women's Day to all the remarkable women and girls around the world! Empowering girls and women is at the core of all our initiatives and programs at Merck Foundation. I recognize the immense potential of women to thrive, succeed and excel in any domain they choose, yet they often lack the conducive environment to fully realize their capabilities, especially in underserved communities. Therefore, together with our Ambassadors, The First Ladies of Africa, we mark International Women's Day every day since the last 13 years through our development programs and initiatives such as 'More Than a Mother', 'Merck Foundation Capacity Advancement', 'Educating Linda', and 'STEM Program'." "Merck Foundation More Than a Mother" is a strong movement that aims to empower infertile and childless women through access to information, education and change of mindset. 'I am thrilled to share that out of the 2,282 scholarships awarded across 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved specialties, 1063 scholarships, that is nearly 50% have been granted to female medical graduates, empowering them to become future healthcare experts and leaders. I am especially proud that we have awarded over 716 scholarships to young doctors, dedicated to advancing women's health by strengthening reproductive, sexual health, and fertility care capacity.' Merck Foundation CEO strongly believes that Education is one of the most critical areas of women empowerment. 'I am happy to share that through our 'Educating Linda' Program, together with my dear sisters, our Ambassadors, we are supporting the education by providing over 950 scholarships for high performance and underprivileged African schoolgirls, empowering them to complete their studies and reach their full potential and also providing essential school items for thousands of schoolgirls in many African countries such as Botswana, Burundi, Malawi, The Gambia, Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Namibia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cabo Verde and more. Moreover, we have benefitted thousands of girls through our awareness campaign through many initiates like the release of inspiring songs, children's storybooks, animation films, TV Program and awards for best media, song, film&fashion designs, all aimed at promoting girl education today for women's empowerment tomorrow', emphasized Senator Rasha Kelej. Merck Foundation also actively empowers women in Science and Technology through its STEM Program and the annual Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit (MARS) Awards that recognize and celebrate the Best African Women Researchers and Best Young African Researchers, fostering research excellence. 'Our goal is to empower women and young African researchers, enhance their research capacity, and promote their contributions to STEM,' emphasized Dr. Kelej. Watch the Episodes of 'Our Africa by Merck Foundation' TV program on Supporting Girl Education: Episode 2: Episode 11: Episode 14: Listen to Merck Foundation song about Supporting Girl Education here: 1. Watch, share&subscribe to the ' Girl Can ' song here, sung by two famous singers, Irene and Cwezi from Liberia and Ghana respectively: 2. Watch, share&subscribe the ' Like Them ' song here, sung by Kenneth, a famous singer from Uganda: 3. Watch, share&subscribe ' Take me to School ' song here, sung by Wezi, Afro-soul singer from Zambia, to support girls' education: 4. Watch share&subscribe ' Tu Podes Sim ' Portuguese song, which means ' Yes, You Can ' in English by Blaze and Tamyris Moiane, singers from Mozambique in English here: 5. Watch, share&subscribe ' Brighter day ' song by Sean K and Cwesi Oteng from Namibia and Ghana respectively: Watch the Merck Foundation Animation Films to Support Girl Education : Ride into to Future: Jackeline's Rescue: Read the Merck Foundation storybook addressing the importance of Girl Education: 1. To read Educating Linda Storybook, pls visit: 2. To read Jackline's Rescue Storybook, pls visit: 3. To read Ride into the Future Storybook, pls visit: 4. To read Not Who You Are Storybook, pls visit: Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Merck Foundation. Contact: Mehak Handa Community Awareness Program Manager +91 9310087613 +91 9319606669 Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard! Facebook: X: YouTube: Instagram: Threads: Flickr: Website: About Merck Foundation: The Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to quality&equitable healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare&scientific research capacity, empowering girls in education and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth. All Merck Foundation press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Foundation Website. Please visit to read more. Follow the social media of Merck Foundation: Facebook ( X ( Instagram ( YouTube ( Threads ( and Flickr ( The Merck Foundation is dedicated to improving social and health outcomes for communities in need. While it collaborates with various partners, including governments to achieve its humanitarian goals, the foundation remains strictly neutral in political matters. It does not engage in or support any political activities, elections, or regimes, focusing solely on its mission to elevate humanity and enhance well-being while maintaining a strict non-political stance in all of its endeavors.
Geek Girl Authority
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Girl Authority
Tessa Gratton Archives
Categories Select Category Games GGA Columns Movies Stuff We Like The Daily Bugle TV & Streaming It's International Women's Day, and we're celebrating with some of our favorite literary female warriors. Did yours make the list? Books List Articles Stuff We Like We need to celebrate and stand by trans and nonbinary people. Read on for some great trans and nonbinary writers Thank you to Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing for a copy of Moon Dark Smile in exchange for an honest ... Thank you to Viking Books/Penguin Young Readers for a copy of These Fleeting Shadows in exchange for an honest review. ... Good morrow, GGA folx! In this go of 'Queer Tested, Teacher Approved,' we're shining a spotlight on young nonbinary* characters ... Hello there! Welcome to the inaugural edition of Queer Tested, Teacher Approved! I'm a queer educator who's been working with kids ...
Times
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Times
Police officer who quit to avoid misconduct hearing ‘cannot be barred'
A senior Metropolitan Police counterterrorism officer accused of inappropriate behaviour towards a female officer at an International Women's Day event in the Maldives was allowed to resign before a gross misconduct hearing. Detective Superintendent Jim Knowles was heralded in the event brochure as a 'strong advocate' for gender equality and a 'HeForShe ally' before he allegedly caused distress to a Maldivian police officer, the local liaison for the Met contingent. It is understood that the complaint lodged with the Met alleged that Knowles texted the woman inappropriately after meeting her at the conference in March 2023. He was said to have turned up unannounced at her hotel room after dinner and, although he left when asked, the encounter left her feeling distressed and uncomfortable. An investigation found that Knowles, who has worked in royalty protection and intelligence, had a case to answer for gross misconduct. He faced the sack if found guilty but resigned before proceedings were brought. He now works for a private security company. The case is another test of the Met's commitment to addressing misconduct within its ranks, a key pledge of Sir Mark Rowley, the Met commissioner, after a series of scandals involving police predators. Gross misconduct hearings, which can be carried out in the absence of former officers, also have the power to bar individuals from working in policing again. That was no longer an option in relation to Knowles once the hearing was cancelled. The Met said that his conduct would be part of his file and come up if he applied for jobs that required vetting in the future. Officers from the Met's counterterror squad are regularly sent overseas to engage and advise local police forces, including in the Maldives, which had one of the highest rates per capita of fighters joining Islamic State. Since the collapse of the Islamist caliphate, there is an enhanced threat from fighters who have returned home. In March 2023 Knowles, then the deputy national co-ordinator for Protect and Prepare, a key element of the UK's counterterror strategy, travelled to the Maldives with two colleagues. The Foreign Office arranged an event, at which Knowles was a speaker, with more than 130 female officers to mark International Women's Day, celebrate women in policing and improve co-ordination between law enforcement agencies involved in the Maldives. The morning after the incident, Knowles's colleagues saw the Maldivian officer in distress. A complaint was made about his alleged inappropriate behaviour on their return to the UK. A disciplinary board was convened 20 months later in November last year, but the force confirmed that it was cancelled when Knowles resigned. The Met would not say who took that decision but cited the need to bring the alleged victim from overseas to give evidence and claimed that she was by then living in a country that did not allow video evidence. A Met spokeswoman said: 'We investigated a complaint of inappropriate behaviour by a Met officer seconded to Counter Terrorism Policing towards a woman in the Maldives on March 8, 2023. 'While our investigation determined the officer should face a misconduct hearing, this was reviewed following his resignation from the force and the hearing was cancelled. The matter remains on the former officer's conduct file and would need to be disclosed during any future vetting process. 'There is no place in the Met for anyone who cannot be trusted to work with women or is a risk to the public.' The Met declined to comment on whether Knowles had to get permission from anyone to resign, and if so who. The Times has attempted to contact Knowles.
